After a discussion, Walsh and D'Antoni immediately headed straight for the court and found Su Yan.
They pulled him aside.
Walsh said solemnly, "Yan, have you also heard the outside news about us planning to give you a low-ball contract?!"
"Yes."
Su Yan didn't deny it.
He had actually been training continuously, but Augustine was paying attention, felt extremely shocked, and immediately called Su Yan to confirm.
Su Yan told Augustine that no one had told him personally.
Walsh took a deep breath and said solemnly, "That's fake news manufactured by the San Antonio Spurs, trying to sow discord.
Yan.
I originally intended to wait until all other teams had made offers, and then give you a satisfactory contract that surpasses all of them.
Now, some petty people want to stir up trouble.
I have to be wary. Now... I solemnly promise, tonight, after the game.
I will give you a satisfactory contract.
So... don't overthink it, focus on playing well, and rest assured about everything else."
"Understood."
Su Yan replied.
He had already heard the rumor about Curry coming over; clearly, they hoped the two great shooters would team up to usher in the New York Knicks' rebuild.
He knew the New York Knicks wouldn't deceive him.
He just needed to focus on the game—no, focus on... grinding for money!
He was already eager to experience the effects of [Steel Tendons and Iron Bones Lv1] and [Off-Ball Movement Lv2] in actual combat.
Uh... alright.
He wanted to see how good the stats would be and how much money he could grind out.
The game would tip off at 9 PM.
8:40 PM.
"The King of Cats" Gerald Wallace accepted a reporter's interview and said confidently, "No one on the New York Knicks can stop my violent collision.
With Gerald's fierce defense.
We will make the New York Knicks fall head over heels.
Su Yan, a mere shooter, absolutely cannot escape his defensive range.
Shooting the Three-point Shot is fine, but if he relies on it for everything, treating it as his sole skill to survive in the league.
Excuse me.
That is the behavior of a weakling.
I heard Su Yan has been very popular recently, hehehe~ Tonight, I will teach him a good lesson!!!"
His final sinister laugh sent shivers down people's spines.
Many fans could already anticipate what kind of violent collision "Martial Saint" Stephen Jackson would use to attack Su Yan!!!
Oh, I'm so scared.
If it were the previous Su Yan, he might actually have felt a little freaked out after hearing those words.
After all, he was one of the brawlers in the "Palace of Auburn Hills" incident.
Stephen Jackson is synonymous with violence.
But now... tempered by [Steel Tendons and Iron Bones Lv1], Su Yan wasn't flustered at all, and was even eager to face him.
If he could dominate him.
That would prove... his own strength was truly enhanced.
"Don't be scared by that kid!"
McGrady found Su Yan and snorted, "If he dares to play dirty, if he dares to treat you outside the scope of basketball.
I'll be the first one to make him pay."
"Me too."
David Lee's expression also turned grim. "For guys who play this violently, if you don't show them some ruthlessness.
You'll just keep being bullied by him."
"Exactly!"
Wilson Chandler nodded heavily, flexing his biceps: "Only if you're tougher than him will he back down.
Yan.
You still need to find opportunities to shoot the Three-point Shot, and I will help you stop that guy!!!"
Everyone was protecting Su Yan.
Although he had only played 3 games, without needing to say it explicitly, Su Yan had gradually become the backbone of the team.
Like the default core.
Su Yan felt a warmth in his heart; playing in such a great locker room atmosphere was also a pleasure.
It was no wonder Curry was so eager to come play for the New York Knicks.
Su Yan shrugged, saying carelessly, "Are you kidding me? I bench press 180 kilograms, why would I be afraid of him?"
Oh, right.
David Lee, McGrady, and Larry Hughes slapped their foreheads, having almost forgotten this detail.
???
What the heck?!
Wilson Chandler and the rest of the players looked completely bewildered.
Soon.
"Boom!"
Amidst the fiery atmosphere of the arena.
Warm-ups ended, and both teams' starters began taking the court; the main game was about to begin.
New York Knicks starting lineup: Point Guard: Chris Duhon, Shooting Guard: McGrady, Small Forward: Su Yan, Power Forward: Al Harrington, Center: David Lee.
Charlotte Bobcats starting lineup: Point Guard: Raymond Felton, Shooting Guard: Stephen Jackson, Small Forward: Gerald Wallace, Power Forward: Boris Diaw, Center: Nazr Mohammed.
"Jump ball!"
The jump ball between David Lee and Mohammed.
Mohammed got the jump first, tipping the ball away. Gerald secured the rebound and passed it to Point Guard Felton to advance.
At the top of the arc.
A handoff pass went to Stephen Jackson. Facing McGrady, he cast a sideways glance and curled his lip into a sneer: "Tracy, the White Horse with a Long Spear!
I have to admit.
The old you had some game.
But now... you're just a vase, and your existence is only to boost the New York Knicks' popularity.
You're useless otherwise."
"Oh?"
McGrady raised an eyelid with boredom; he had heard this kind of talk many times and didn't care at all.
He said flatly, "I'm a vase? So what? I earn $23 million a year, the highest in the league. What about you?!
You wouldn't be worse than a vase, would you?!"
"You..."
Stephen Jackson was speechless.
He was a master of trash talk, having even won the Annual Best Trash Talker award in the future BIG3 league.
Although he didn't know the significance of that honor.
It did show that he genuinely liked trash-talking, and it certainly was a technical skill.
It was just a shame... he shouldn't have offended his senior.
"Hmph~"
The frustrated Stephen Jackson snorted and drove the ball forward.
There was no fancy change of direction.
It was purely an extreme violent collision.
If it were peak McGrady, he could stand firm without fear, and could defend while retreating, using his talent advantage to deliver a fatal blow defensively.
But now.
Not only was he old, but he was also plagued by injuries. If they really played, if he truly faced Stephen Jackson's violent collision.
He couldn't stop him.
He was knocked aside.
Stephen Jackson rushed to the basket, and Gerald and Mohammed boxed out for him.
"Boom!"
Raising his hands high.
After the violent collision, Stephen Jackson used a dominant dunk to score the first points for his team.
"See that, Tracy, you can't stop me!"
Stephen Jackson lifted his chin and taunted McGrady.
"And?"
McGrady was dismissive. "The money you earn doesn't even compare to a vase. Are you playing just to please the audience?!"
You f***ing... think earning a bit of trash money is impressive?
You're never going to stop, are you?
Stephen Jackson was annoyed, but he really couldn't win the argument; his own annual salary was less than $8 million.
The other guy was being called a vase, yet he was earning three times his own salary.
This was completely unreasonable.
Can't mess with him, can't mess with him.
Stephen Jackson slunk away, then fixed his gaze on Su Yan, sneering, "Did you see that, rookie Undrafted Player, my vicious dunk!!!
Next.
It's your turn!!!"